Plantar bone fusion plate

Abstract

A plantar bone plate and a method are provided for treating fractures of metatarsal bones. The plantar bone plate comprises a generally elongate member having an upper surface and a lower, bone contact surface. Two or more fixation apertures and a compression slot are disposed along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate member. The fixation apertures receive fasteners suitable for fastening the plantar bone plate to a metatarsal bone. The compression slot receives a fastener at an oblique angle for compressing adjacent portions of the metatarsal bone so as to encourage bone fusion. A curvature along the elongate member is configured to mate the plantar bone plate with the anatomy of the plantar aspect of the metatarsal bone. In one embodiment, the curvature is comprised of at least a first bend and a second bend, such that the plantar bone plate mates with the plantar anatomy of the 5 th metatarsal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for a plantar bone plate for treating fractures of a metatarsal bone, comprising:
 providing a generally elongate member having an upper surface and a lower surface;   disposing two or more fixation apertures along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate member;   configuring the two or more fixation apertures to receive fasteners suitable for fastening the plantar bone plate to the metatarsal bone;   forming a compression slot to receive a fastener perpendicular to the upper surface or at an oblique angle suitable for compressing adjacent portions of the metatarsal bone so as to encourage bone fusion; and   applying a curvature along the elongate member such that the plantar bone plate mates with the anatomy of the plantar aspect of the metatarsal bone.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the curvature comprises forming at least a first bend and a second bend along the elongate member such that the plantar bone plate mates with the plantar anatomy of the 5 th  metatarsal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein applying the curvature comprises forming a combination of one or more curves along the longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension of the plantar bone plate.